Foldable extension device



Jan. 5, 1932. V J. L. HOG'BERG 1,839,788

FOLDABLE EXTENSION DEVICE Filed May 29, 1930 IN V EN TOR. /0%/z Z-flqyZe/y A TTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 5, 1932' erase JOHN L. HOGBERG, OF AT'I'LEBOR0, MASSACHUSETTS, .ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL CHAIN COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODEISLAND, A CORPORATION OLE IVIAS SAGHUSETTS FOLDABLE EXTENsIoN DEVICE Application filed May as,

This invention relates to a foldable-extension device, and has for its object to provide a construction which when folded-will be compact, but which maybe enlarged suiticiently to permita bracelet and watch secured thereto to be easily passed over the hand without separation or detachment of any of its parts.

A further object of this invention is the provision of simple securing means for bold ing the sections in folded position in the body. I

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a construction in which the parts may be easily formed and the Sections interchanged one with the other, similar sections being formed from the same tools, whereby the cost of production may be reduced to a minimum.

A still further object of this invention is to provide for securing the sections in folded position by a cooperating means between-one edge only of the section andthe body member, and to locate the means to prevent twisting about a longitudinal axis when pulling the sections to open position.

With these-and other objects andadvantageous features in view the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the device in folded position; e

Fig. 2 is a central section of the sections in folded'position;

Fig. 3 is a section showing the foldable sections swung to partially open position;

Fig. 4 is a top plan View showing the sections in full open position:

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom part of the body member;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the top part of the body member; Y i

Fig.7 is a perspective view of one of the sheet metal foldable sections;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an extension device with a modified form 1930. Serial No. 456,853.

parts, and'in the use of such a device in order that the-same may be small, it is often diiiicult to provide a suflicient amount ofenlarge- 'men'tto permit easy withdrawal of the same over the wrist, and in order to avoid this difficulty and provlde for a somewhat increased extension, I have hinged sectlons t0 the ends of the body member to fold toward each other so as to carry the'strap or chain towhich they are attached with them, whereby when unfolded,the bracelet is enlarged double the length of the sections at each end of the device, thus providing sufficient extension for ease in use, and also I have provided suit-able means for securing the sections in folded position and finger recesses for lifting the members from folded position for enlar ing purposes; and the followingis a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished.

.lVith reference to the drawings, 10 designates the body member of the device and 11 one. of the plate sections provided with eyes .12 and 18 at each end thereof formed by rolling or folding the stock, as illustrated in Figure 7. The sections 11 are hinged to the ends of the body member by mounting each eye 12 on a pivot pin 13, whereby the sections may fold inwardly toward each other, as illustrated in Figure 2, or be swung outward- 1y away from each other, as'illustrated in Figures 3 and 4:, to enlarge the encircling length of the bracelet for withdrawl from the wrist. I

Each section is provided with a protuberance or detent 14 formed on one edge thereof, and is received within a recess 15 in the side wall of the channel-shaped body member, while the eyes 12 of each section are each provided with a notch or recess 16 to receive the finger or finger nail of the user for lifting the same from folded position by withdrawing the protuberance 14 from the recess 15 in the side wall of the body section due to theresilient yielding or spreading of the side wall of the body section. 17' is attached to the eye 18 at the free end of the section and extends over the section 11 when in folded position, as illustrated in Figure 2.

I have found that it is necessary to use but a single protuberance 14 and a single recess in the side wall of the body member for holding the sections in folded position, and consequently, in order that the device may be symmetrically formed and prevented from twisting or rotating about a longitudinal axis, 1 have caused the protuberance 14 of one of the sections 11 to be on one side of the device, while a protuberance 14 on the other section is on the other side of the device, but these sections are identical in every way, and the single protuberance on the edge is oppositely disposed by reason of its being mounted to swing or fold oppositely from that of its other similar section.

Ihave shown one form of body member .formed of two parts, the bottom part consisting of abottom'wall 20 having sides 21, 22in each of which sides are formed the recesses 15 in the position shown in Figure 5, and the top portion ofthe body member consisting of parallel walls 23 and 24 with a center or bridge piece 25 which fit along the outside of the walls '21 and ,22. Openings 26 in the side walls of the top, and 27 in the side walls of the bottom at the ends of the device register, while openings 28 and 29 at the other end of the parts register-for the reception of the pivot pins 13, above described for mounting the parts in hinged relation.

Another form of body member, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 consists of av one-piece channel member having a bottom wall 30, side walls 31 and 32, having recesses 33 there in corresponding in position to the recesses 15 in the body member above mentioned. In this. form of body member, the sections 34 are mounted slightly difierently by reason of spaced eyes 35 rolled on the ends of the body member 30, and a narrow eye 36 on the plate section 35 located between the eyes 35 through all of which eyes the hinge pi-ntle 13 extends. The sections 35 are of a length longer than the sections 11 and substantially abut when in folded position as at 36, shown in Figure 9. Y

lVhile I have described certain construction forms which embody the principles of The strap or chain my invention, it is obvious that other desired changes in arrangement may be made within the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a foldable extension device, a body membeigsections hinged to the ends of said body member to fold toward each other, cooperating means on one edge only of one section and the body for holding the section in folded position, and cooperating means on'the corresponding opposite edge only of the other section, and the body for holding the said other section in folded position.

2. In a foldable extension device, a body member, sections hinged to the ends of said body member to fold toward each other, cooperating means on one edge only of one section and the body for holding the section in folded position, cooperating means on the corresponding opposite edge only of the other section, and thebody for holding the said other section in folded position, and means at the free ends of said sections for attaching a wrist strap thereto.

3. In a foldable extension device, a body member, sections hinged to the ends of said body member to fold toward each other, c0- operating means on one edge of one section and the body for holding the section in folded iposition, cooperating means on the corresponding opposite edge of the other section, and the body for holding the said other section in folded position, and a recess at the free end of each of said sections for reception of the finger for lifting the section from folded position.

4. In a 'foldable extension device, a body member, sections hinged to the ends of said body member to fold toward each other, means for holding said sections in folded posit-ion, an eye at the free end of each section to which the strap may be attached, and arecess in each of the eyes to receive the finger for raising the section from folded position.

5. In a: foldable extension device, a body member, sectionshinged to the ends of said body member to fold toward each other, cooperating means on one edge of one section and thebody for holding the section in folded position, cooperating means'on the corresponding opposite edge of the other section, and the body for holding the said other section in folded position, a recess at the free end .ofeach of said-sections for reception of the finger for lifting the section from folded position, and means at the free ends of said sections for attaching a wrist strap thereto.

6. In a foldable extension device, a body member. sections each having rolled eyes, pivot pins extending through said eyes and hingedly mounting the same-to the ends of said body member to fold toward each other, means for holding said sections in folded position, an eye at the freeend of each section to which the strap may be attached, and a recess in each of the eyes to receive the finger for raising the section from folded position,

7. In a foldable extension device, a body member generally channel-shaped in crosssection, sections hinged to the ends of said body member to fold toward each other, one

section having a single protuberance on one edge thereof, and the other section having a single protuberance on the corresponding opposite edge thereof, the opposite channel walls of said body each having a single recess to receive the protuberance on said section for holding the sections in folded position.

8. In a foldable extension device, a body member enerally channel-shaped in crosssection, sections hinged to the ends of said.

body member to fold toward each other, one section having a single protuberance on one edge only thereof, and the other section having a single protuberance on the correspond ing opposite side edge only thereof, theopposite channel Walls of said body each having a single recess to receive the protuberance on said section for holding the sections in folded position, and means at the free ends of said sections for attaching a wrist strap thereto.

9. In a foldable extensionedevice, a body member generally channel-shaped in crosssection, sections hinged to the ends of said body member, one section having a protuberance on one edge thereof, and the other section having a protuberance on the corresponding opposite edge thereof, the opposite channel walls of said body each having a re cess to receive the protuberance on said section for holding the sections in folded position, and a recess at the free end of each of said sections for reception of the finger for lifting the section from folded position.

10. In a foldable extension device, a body member generally channel-shaped in cross section, sections each having rolled eyes. at both ends, pivot pins extending through the eyes at the inner ends of said section mounting the same at the ends of said body member, bracelet straps attached to the eyes at the free ends of said sections, said eyes at the free ends having recesses for the reception of the finger to lift the sections from folded position, a protuberance on one edge only of each section located on the corresponding opposite edges of the sections, the opposite side walls of said body member being resilient and having recesses to receive said protuberances to hold the sections in folded position between the side walls of said body member. s

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN L. HOGBERG. 

